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Reduced caustic laundry detergents based on extended chain surfactants

a technology of extended chain surfactants and laundry detergents, applied in the direction of detergent compounding agents, liquid soaps, liquid cleaning, etc., can solve the problems of disfavored npes, contaminating water, vegetation and marine life, and npes that are not readily biodegradable, so as to reduce the dependence on caustics and improve cleaning ability

Active Publication Date: 2013-11-12
ECOLAB USA INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The invention meets the needs above by providing a surfactant system, mixture or blend that can be used alone or as a part of a laundry detergent, hard surface cleaner or a pre-spotting treatment. The surfactant system is a synergistic combination of a new generation of surfactants termed extended chain surfactants. According to the invention these surfactants can be combined with other ingredients to remove very difficult stains such as those from sunscreens and can also be formulated in combinations that improve cleaning ability and thereby reduce the dependence on caustics for removal of soil. In a preferred embodiment the surfactant compositions of the invention are a synergistic combination of nonionic and anionic extended chain surfactants.
[0011]The surfactant system comprises anionic and / or nonionic extended chain surfactants. Interestingly, applicants have found that the soil removal is proportional to the degree of PO extension of the linker of the extended chain surfactant. The use of extended surfactants shifts the required optimal alkalinity to a significantly lower level. This can result in cost savings, use of a less aggressive composition for better user safety, less fabric damage, and less corrosion due to alkalinity. This system can be used in formulations for laundry detergents, hard surface cleaners, whether alkali or acid based or even by itself as a pre-spotting agent.

Problems solved by technology

However, while effective, NPEs are disfavored due to environmental concerns.
Both NP and NPEs exhibit estrogen-like properties and may contaminate water, vegetation and marine life.
NPE is also not readily biodegradable and remains in the environment or food chain for indefinite time periods.
Caustics also damage clothes through repeated use and can dull the fabric's color.
Current methods to treat these types of stains have included bleach, and other traditional pretreatments, to no avail.

Method used

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  • Reduced caustic laundry detergents based on extended chain surfactants
  • Reduced caustic laundry detergents based on extended chain surfactants
  • Reduced caustic laundry detergents based on extended chain surfactants

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1a

Extended Surfactants Compared with Formulas Containing NPEs and AEs:

[0125]A tergitometer test was performed to determine the efficacy of an extended surfactant formula against commercial detergent formulas, listed below. The following conditions were used in the testing; DI water, 140° F., 10 minute wash, 1500 ppm active surfactant, 100 rpm, 2 half swatches of each of the following soils EMPA 101, EMPA 104, Soy / Soot Blend, Soy / Soot Cotton swatches. Each formula was tested with 0 ppm caustic and 1500 ppm caustic (from 50% NaOH) to determine the dependence on caustic for soil removal.

[0126]The results show that Commercial Detergent B relied heavily on caustic to increase soil removal, with a difference of 15.36% soil removal between 1500 ppm and 0 ppm caustic. The Commercial Detergent A and Commercial Detergent C formulas showed a significant caustic dependence, though less than the Commercial Detergent B formula, with 7.61 and 7.93% better soil removal for the 4 soil swatches respect...

example 1b

Reduced Caustic Dependence with Increasing Level of PO in the Anionic Extended Surfactant:

[0129]A tergitometer test was performed to determine the efficacy of various anionic extended surfactants. The performance of the formulas containing the various extended surfactants was compared to Commercial Detergent A. The formulas used are listed below. The following conditions were used in the testing; DI water, 140° F., 10 minute wash, 1500 ppm active surfactant, 70 rpm, 3 swatches of each of the following soils EMPA 101, EMPA 104, Soy / Soot Blend, Soy / Curry Cotton swatches. Each formula was tested with 0 ppm caustic and 1500 ppm caustic (from 50% NaOH) to determine the dependence on caustic for soil removal.

[0130]The following extended anionic surfactants were used in this testing:

[0131]

StructurePO extensionX-AES, 23%C12(PO)16(EO)2SO4−16ALFOTERRA 123-4S, 30%C12-13(PO)4SO4−4ALFOTERRA 123-8S, 30%C12-13(PO)8SO4−8MARLOWET 4561, 90%C16-18(PO)4(EO)5COO−4MARLOWET 4560, 90%C16-18(PO)4(EO)2COO−4M...

example 1c

Reduced Dependence on Caustic Across a Broad Range of Caustic Levels with 16PO Extended Anionic:

[0135]A tergitometer test was performed with an extended surfactant formula and varying caustic levels to determine if there is a point at which the formula shows a dependence on caustic. The following conditions were used in the testing; DI water, 150° F., 10 minute wash, 100 rpm, and 9.39 g / L extended formula (listed below) added to the wash pot. A Builder, with a high recommended alkalinity use level at and 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 grams of Builder per 1 L wash solution added into wash pot. Terry swatches were soiled with 0.30 g of Soybean oil and allowed to set overnight. Three soiled swatches were used in each wash solution.

[0136]The extended anionic surfactant used in this formula is the X-AES with 16 PO. The results of this testing show there is no point at which caustic alkalinity improves soil removal. This is consistent with the previous examples, wherein the extended anionics wi...

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Abstract

The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactants blends and cleaning composition. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended anionic surfactants, linker surfactants, and a multiply charged cation component. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. In another embodiment anionic surfactants are combined with a solvent, and amine oxide to remove sunscreen stains. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to detergent and cleaning compositions which employ synergistic combinations of detergent components and extended chain surfactants. The detergent compositions are useful for removing a number of challenging stains including those from non-trans fats, fatty acids, triglycerides, oxybenzone, and avobenzone. Additional cleaning compositions employ combinations of anionic and / or nonionic extended chain surfactants which have reduced dependence on caustics for soil removal.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Surfactants reduce the surface tension of water by adsorbing at the liquid-gas interface. They also reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water by adsorbing at the liquid-liquid interface. Surfactants are a primary component of most detergents. When dissolved in water, surfactants give a product the ability to remove dirt from surfaces. Each surfactant molecule has a hydrophilic head that is attracted to water molecules and a h...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B08B3/04C11D1/29C11D1/83
CPCC11D1/83C11D1/06C11D1/29C11D1/722
Inventor MAN, VICTOR FUK-PONGDENOMA, MICHAEL CHARLESKILLEEN, YVONNE MARIELENTSCH, STEVEN EUGENE
Owner ECOLAB USA INC
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